Noticing a lot of questions about clutches and also noticing they're from folks with failing knees; quick question: what is the actual travel of the fork in disengaging and engaging the clutch? I have a concept about dealing with the effort needed.
Interesting reading Here: https://www.hotrod.com/features/diaphragm-tastic-december-1981-982-1180-64-1/
I would imagine that it could possibly be done with an electric solenoid as long as there was some kind of hydraulic damper to allow it to engage slowly. Might take a bunch of trial and error to get it to work correctly though
It is a simple fix with hydraulic clutches. Add a clutch pedal vacuum servo/booster Here is a readily available example [that racers throw away] I'm sure some enterprising HAMBer could adapt a pushrod to one
When I had my hip replaced, I was afraid that I would not be able to use the clutch pedal. It has a short throw and is tight. I thought about converting to a hydraulic throw out bearing and a softer pressure plate. The surgeon told me not to worry, that it is your muscles and not the hip. He was right and I still use the same set up and the hip was done in 2006. My knees are not so good anymore either, but thankfully they are still holding out. I would put in a modified torqueflite and hook the pushbuttons back up if I had too. After driving this car since 1965, I would not give up now. Have you talked to a good knee surgeon about what could be done? The treatments they have are really good, you might be surprised. Good luck with whatever you do.
It may be helpful if you let us know what vehicle/engine/transmission, and the type of clutch you have. Maybe we can give some vehicle-specific advice.
Wonder if anyone has used a 12v linear actuator to engage and disengage a clutch. Maybe rigged up with a rheostat on the clutch pedal to control the rate of clutch apply and release? https://www.amazon.com/linear-actuator-12v/s?k=linear+actuator+12v
My fork travel is around 7/8" and hydraulic. Pedal pressure is fairly light, about the same as my OT 2020 Mustang.
The basic idea should work just fine, although I think you may want something that can move faster. Some sort of servo (look at the ones in radio controlled "toys for inspiration) could do the job, along with a suitable controller.
Nope, gonna assume the folks interested in auto trans already did that. I've got an idea on a clutch actuator.
I don't have a specific need for it myself, just got an itch to see if I could come up with a viable and reliable solution.
So far we have an example of 7/8" travel; assuming it might vary between that and maybe an inch and a half; more leverage by extending the fork length as much as practical to get mechanical advantage...
I would imagine that with bad knees it is a problem with BOTH pressure involved and the amount of travel. Leverage means more travel for less leg pressure. There are modern automated clutch systems, so it can be done but the current stuff is high priced and has high rates of wear, meaning even more cost. While I imagine that a pressurized system that takes input from anything up to a hand lever like a bicycle and translates it to throw out movement could be built and refined, the market is so small it would be as much as some cars.
Take a look at Centerforce clutches. They have a patented design that uses bearings for the diaphragm pivots to markedly reduce clutch effort. My knees aren't best, I'm sold on 'em...
Hello, Ever since I hurt my left knee in a rugby "on field juke" move, way back in 1967, I have had rehabilitation and a swollen knee over the years from a variety of activities. Playing one on one basketball, my favorite with a knee brace was good, but afterwards, the knee was slightly swollen and I limped for a week or so. Riding bicycles was supposedly good for rehab, although afterwards, it was painful just sitting reading or watching TV. So, that was out. After the initial rugby injury, surgery and rehab, I tried again and was captured by my wife running by her sideline position on my way to a score. Yes! But, the tackling and side pressure given by the opposing teams upon contact, did not last more than the next three games… I retired to go surfing, with a supporting brace under my wetsuit. The current orthopedic surgeon in 2016 told me that a variety of injuries over time were all due to the original cartilage removal in 1967 and continuing injuries in a variety of activities as noted. (jumping down on the harbor dock from the top of the sailboat upon arriving in the slip allowed my knee to move the wrong way) So, not enough injury to require another surgery for ligament removal and re-attachment, but just enough pain to require no activity until the swelling goes down. So, he said to go to rehab for their language on how to get back to normal. One was a sit down bicycle pedaling. The ACL is the easiest injury for all folks and unless a tear from the bone is there after any injury, a rigorous rehab is all it takes to get it back. Ligaments do not grow back and the rehab is only for strength in the supporting tissue and muscle structure, plus, the rehab is to trick you into thinking the ligament is healing itself. The surrounding damage to the joint is rehabbing itself, thus allowing folks to think the knee ligament is going to heal. Jnaki So, for those that have stick shift cars, the actual stepping down on the clutch for shifts are a good way to “rehab.” The angle and usage at each shift is like pushing down on a bike pedal. Perhaps easier as you are sitting in a nice comfortable seat in your hot rod. And not staring at the clinical rehab center with other hobbling old guys wandering around. No need for custom clutch levers or adjustment types. Just push in the clutch, to start the rehab, as you drive. The left only has one job. The right does the movement side to side I can attest that bicycle unit exercise when I was forced to go to an actual rehab place as required by the ortho surgeon was pretty boring and for me, useless. I lasted two days not two weeks. But, I endured the clutch pedal in my 6 speed sporty car sedan for daily driving and shifting in traffic or long distance road trips with my wife. Pushing down on the pedal multiple times was exercise and that I could handle. Plus the sound of accelerating to an old hot rod guy was music to my ears. YRMV
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